Alcaraz claims the 2025 Cincinnati Open title in a surprising fashion

When the score in the first set of the 2025 Cincinnati Open final was 5-0 in Alcaraz’s favor, Sinner required medical attention and then announced his withdrawal from the match.

The match lasted only 24 minutes before ending in an unexpected way. Under the sweltering Ohio weather, Sinner appeared fatigued, played below his usual level, and made a series of errors. Alcaraz managed to break Sinner’s serve three times in the opening set.

Alcaraz claimed his first Cincinnati Open title, though the victory was not entirely satisfying. With this win, the world number two has gained excellent momentum ahead of the season’s final Grand Slam tournament.

The 2025 Cincinnati Open marks Alcaraz’s eighth Masters 1000 title, increasing his total ATP Tour trophies to 22 at just 22 years old. In the past, only Rafael Nadal had achieved a similar number of Masters 1000 titles at a younger age. Alcaraz also becomes the third Spaniard to win in Cincinnati, following Carlos Moya (2002) and Nadal (2013).

Meanwhile, the defeat denied Sinner the chance to follow in Federer’s footsteps by defending his Cincinnati Open crown. It also ended his 26-match winning streak on hard courts.

Sinner currently holds four Grand Slam titles and is considered a top contender at the US Open. However, his mid-match retirement in Cincinnati has raised concerns among fans about whether the world number one will be fit to compete at the US Open, which begins on August 24 at Flushing Meadows.

According to the schedule, in the early hours of August 20, Sinner is set to play mixed doubles with Kateřina Siniaková (Czech Republic) before competing in the men’s singles event.

After their thrilling encounters at Roland Garros and Wimbledon, fans are hoping both players will deliver another epic clash at Flushing Meadows, provided Sinner recovers in time.